Author: Akintayo Adams

President Bola Tinubu, in July 2024, signed the ₦70,000 minimum wage bill into law, marking the end of extended negotiations with labor unions, government representatives, and the private sector. While some governors have committed to this new federal minimum, others have gone a step further, promising higher wages in their states. 1. Governor Babájídé Sanwó-Olú (Lagos State) On October 16, 2024, Governor Babájídé Sanwó-Olú announced an ₦85,000 minimum wage for Lagos State workers, raising it ₦15,000 above the federal minimum. He highlighted Lagos’s high cost of living as a factor and set a goal to increase the minimum wage further…

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticized the nickname “T-Pain” coined by Nigerians frustrated by the economic situation, labeling it as mischievous. He made this disclosure on a Channels Television program on Sunday. Many have attributed the economic hardships to what they view as unfavourable policies introduced under Tinubu’s administration. According to him, “the President is aware that the citizens are going through some difficulties,” but he is not aware that some persons have labelled him T-Pain on social media as “the President does not read what is on social media.” He said: “Some people…

Bayo Onanuga, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, clarified that Tinubu has not taken on the role of Minister of Petroleum. Instead, the Petroleum Ministry is overseen by two appointed ministers under Tinubu’s supervision. The presidential spokesman disclosed this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Sunday. “That’s an area that this government discovered in the past that Nigeria neglected and Nigeria is more of a gas country than an oil country; President Tinubu is focusing on gas. “Recently, Obasanjo said he made a mistake during his time by not focusing on gas and Tinubu is…

Footage has surfaced showing Labour MP Mike Amesbury involved in a physical altercation in Cheshire, reportedly striking a constituent multiple times. The video reveals him addressing the man, saying, “You won’t ever threaten me again,” with onlookers expressing shock. Amesbury, the MP for Runcorn, was surrounded by bystanders, some questioning the fight. The incident, published by the Daily Mail, raises concerns for the Labour Party shortly before the Chancellor’s Budget announcement. Mr Amesbury said in a statement yesterday: “Last night, I was involved in an incident that took place after I felt threatened on the street following an evening out…

Universities across Nigeria might be in for a lockdown as the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) embarks on an indefinite strike on Monday. The Joint Action Committee (JAC), which represents non-teaching university staff, has directed members nationwide to participate. The strike is driven by the government’s failure to pay four months of withheld salaries, which were stopped during a joint industrial action with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the Buhari administration. The indefinite strike by NASU and SSANU will begin on Sunday night, October…

The Federal Government of Nigeria is offering a 50% tax relief to companies that raise salaries or provide transportation allowances for low-income workers. This initiative is part of a new legislative bill aimed at overhauling the country’s tax system to support workers amid rising living costs. The proposed law, titled “A Bill for an Act to Repeal Certain Acts on Taxation and Consolidate the Legal Frameworks relating to Taxation and Enact the Nigeria Tax Act to Provide for Taxation of Income, Transactions, and Instruments, and Related Matters,” is dated October 4, 2024, and was obtained from the National Assembly. This…

The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, has expressed concern for Nigeria’s Vice-President Kashim Shettima’s safety, citing issues with the “faulty” presidential aircraft. Shettima had to cancel his planned trip to the Commonwealth Summit in Samoa after an incident where a “foreign object” struck his plane at JFK Airport in New York. The Presidency confirmed the incident, raising safety questions about the aircraft. In a statement issued in Maiduguri, the capital Borno state, on Sunday, Lawan asked the Nigerian Government to purchase a new jet for Shettima. He said: “I want to sympathize with the Nigerian…

Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey has been appointed as the Commonwealth’s new secretary-general, as announced at the closing of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. This summit, attended by King Charles and Queen Camilla, brought leaders from the 56-member states together to address significant global issues, including slavery and climate change. “Today at #CHOGM2024, Commonwealth Heads of Government have selected the Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, currently the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of Ghana, as the incoming Secretary-General of the Commonwealth,” the Commonwealth posted on X. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, a strong advocate for reparations for colonialism and…

Vietnam’s National Assembly has unanimously approved Luong Cuong as the new president, marking the fourth individual to hold the position in under two years. Cuong, an army general, replaces To Lam, who concurrently served as general secretary amid a significant anti-corruption campaign. The presidency in Vietnam is largely ceremonial, involving diplomatic engagements. All 440 assembly deputies supported Cuong’s nomination during the session, as reported by state television. In his inaugural speech he committed to boosting defense capabilities and pursuing an independent and multilateral foreign policy. He vowed to “strengthen national defense and security, build up an army force that is…

A building collapsed in the Sabon Lugbe area of Abuja on Saturday, trapping numerous individuals inside. Residents were seen attempting rescues amid the rubble, while emergency services worked throughout the night to reach those trapped. Reports indicate that the structure was still under construction at the time of the incident. “No fewer than 40 persons are currently trapped in the building,”one eyewitness said. “People are under this rubble. It is a building under construction. We are calling on the government and relevant agencies to come and rescue those who are trapped here.” Josephine Adeh, spokesperson of the federal capital territory…